The Turning Point: floydg (A) & Coach Z (J) -- Luganville liberated

[floydg]

July 30, 1942

Highlights: Knocked back in Burma; Ichang victory; Darwin holds

• At night, five American PT boats encounter the DD Yukaze at Koumac. The DD sinks a PT boat, the the PT boats do a decent amount of damage on the DD before both task forces break off.
• The CA Haguro with two CL and 2 DD bombard Efate. A small number of casualties are reported.
• Chinese bomb Wuhan with 9xSB-2c and do slight damage to the facilities, but do destroy a few planes on the ground.
• Again Japanese bombers go after the British troops at the mid-point of the road between Mandalay and Myitkyina. This time the 1st Burma Brigade and the 2nd Burma Brigade are hit by separate attacks totaling over 100 bombers. A few bombers are shot down and only slight casualties are reported. A Japanese ground attack later forces the British to withdraw back towards Imphal.
• 35xVal from carriers attack the 1st USMC Division at Adak Island. A small number of casualties are reported.
• Several A-20B from Efate score two bomb hits on the AK Naniwa Maru near Luganville and then a second strike scoring three more hits and one hit on the DD Wakatake. The transport later sinks.
• SBD's from Noumea strike the AK Asakasan Maru at Koumac and score a bomb hit. Ann's from Koumac retaliate and score several hits on three AK at Noumea and later three more leaving Noumea.
• 66 Japanese bombers come in un-escorted over Darwin. CAP only downs two bombers and the runway is riddled with bombs.
• 18xSBD and 15xTBF from Noumea strike Koumac. The 18 fighter CAP destroys 1/3 of the planes and the rest do only superficial damage.
• 3xNell from Port Moresby strike the BB Warspite and put two torpedoes into her.
• A Japanese attack at Darwin is unsuccessful, but the defenders still take almost 400 casualties to a little over 150 for the Japanese.
• Japanese attack at Ichang and are thwarted. The Japanese take almost 3500 casualties to 450 Chinese.

Analysis: Unfortunately, getting knocked out of the hex in Burma was a set-back. But I think I'll just rest a bit and then come back at them. If he comes to me, even better. Troops should be entering Myitkyina any day now.
Things in China are going well - the victory in Ichang and outside Nanning shows that the Chinese can hold their own. I guess Coach Z thought a few days cut off from the supply line would be enough. He did intercept some air shipments of supply, so maybe he thought I was desperate. It's not good, but not desperate.
My two British BB are in trouble. They started out damaged and now each ate two torpedoes. I just spotted CA/CL coming at them to finish them off. I think they're gonners now... [:(]

[floydg]

July 31, 1942

Highlights: Darwin holds; many bombs fall on ships around New Caledonia.

• A force of American PT boats enter the area of Koumac again and encounter the DD Yukaze again. This time, no PT boats are hit and the Yukaze takes 6 shell hits and two torpedo hits and is sunk.
• Again the CA Haguro with two CL and 2 DD bombard Efate. An even smaller number of casualties are reported this time.
• 31 LB-30 bomb Rangoon. Zeros shoot down two bombers and only 4 resource hits are reported.
• Japanese bomb Thursday Island and do moderate damage.
• 27 B-24D bomb Wake Island and cause slight damage.
• American aircraft at Noumea attack several Japanese ML around the Koumac area. The ML Ikutsushima and ML Ishizaki each take a bomb hit.
• An ASW TF at Noumea is struck from the air from Koumac and the PG Kiwi takes a bomb hit. Later, a transport TF is attacked and 5 AK's are hit.
• Darwin is bombed and light damage is reported. Japanese troops attack again, but the defenders hold. Japanese take a 650+ casualties to almost 900 defenders.
• Another bomb run is made on the CVL Shoho, which is east of Luganville. No hits are made.
• B-26B Marauders from Australia hit a Japanese SCTF, presumably searching for the British BB's. A small CAP of Rufes are enough to scare away many of the pilots and no hits are scored.
• Derby airfield expands to level 4.
• Diamond Harbor airfield expands to level 7.

Analysis: Darwin is holding; but not for long.
Now that Derby is level 4, all the ships in the Broome area are now Betty and Nell bait... [:(]
Somehow, some Chinese troops on the border of Burma "teleported". They were about to move into a hex and three of four units "teleported" to another hex and retained the destination (but movement was reset). I can't let them keep going that way, since they'll cross a river into an enemy-occupied hex. So now I need to move them back to where they were before (took weeks). What could have happened?? [&:]

[floydg]

August 1, 1942

Highlights: Nanning attack; Surface action at Koumac

• The BB Kirishima and two DD bombard Darwin, causing over 150 casualties. Later, 42 Betty's come in, causing more damage to the airfield and aircraft.
• PT boats at Koumac hit a fresh Japanese mine and the PT-126 sinks. The remaining PT boats engage the AK Asakasan Maru and the PG Yachiyo Maru. The AK takes two torpedoes and sinks, the PG takes one.
• Chinese attack at Nanning. The attack is successful and the fortifications are reduced, but the Japanese defenders still hold the city.
• South of Darwin, the Australians attack again, but the Japanese hold.

Analysis: I knew he was loading up Koumac with mines once I found the four ML's on the way. Fortunately, only one PT hit and the rest were able to take on the AK and PG. So far, these PT boats have given the Japanese a decent amount of heartburn.
Nanning attack was okay. I got 5-on-1, but they didn't retreat. We had some sync bug issues and in a few attempts, I got at 9-on-1 and took Nanning, so the end could be near for him there. Except now all of my Chinese have disruptions in the 80's!!! Why is a victory like this resulting in so much disruption? [&:]

[floydg]

The situation in Northern Australia is thus:



A = 5th Indian Division, 13th Australian Brigade (partial), 23rd Australian Brigade (partial), Darwin Defense Brigade (decimated) and three BF (two marched from Wyndham and Derby); Japan has 2 SNLF, 2 Naval Guard, a Mixed Brigade, 2 Armor and an artillery unit.
B = Three more Japanese units coming (probably HQ and engineers)
C = Japanese sneaking down towards Perth, it appears. [:-]. I'll send up some troops to meet him.
D = 7th Aus Div, 1st Aus Cav Div, 6th Aus Cav Bde, 632nd USA TD Bn; Japan has para reg, mixed brigade and two armor regiments

He has 7 units at Derby and one more just SW of Derby. 8 units in Wyndham and one marching east from there.
There are 7 Japanese units at Darwin (3 infantry div, 1 inf bde, 2 armor and arty) and south of that are 3 more units. West are two more.

Defending Darwin are the 2nd Aus Div, 5th Aus Div, 101st Aus AT Reg, 2nd Aus Tank Reg, AUS I Corps, CD and 2 BF. West of Darwin is a small picket unit with no AV...

[floydg]

August 2, 1942

Highlights: Japanese cruisers hit by Koumac

• Japanese bomb Imphal with 37 bombers escorted by 12 fighters. The CAP of 22 fighters shoots down 5 Japanese fighters and 6 bombers at a cost of 2 British. Negligible damage is done to the airbase.
• 57 bombers from Dutch Harbor soften up the Japanese troops at Adak Island. The 1st USMC division attacks at Adak Island, but the Japanese hold.
• Outside of Koumac, American SBDs and TBDs strike a SCTF and put two bombs on the CA Haguro and one on the CL Natori. The CL Naka was un-touched.
• Japanese bomb Darwin, causing minor damage to the airbase.
• South of Thursday Island, 8 Beaufighter Mk 21's strike a Japanese SCTF looking for the British BB's. One plane is lost and no hits are scored. Later, 24 x B-26B strike and also miss.
• South of Darwin, the Australians attack and cause two of the four Japanese units to retreat.
• Port Arthur expands port to level 9 and Wake expands port to level 3.

Analysis: Looks like some of his offensives are slowing down. It appears that he's pulled troops back to Koumac from La Foa. I guess I stacked too many troops for him to handle. [:D] I'll pull some back to Noumea now for R&R (and if he tries an invasion there). Until everyone falls back, I can't advance to Koumac. Or maybe I'll force them back with an attack now. It was also nice to put some dents in his cruisers coming to bombard me (I assume, since he never pulled it off).
South of Darwin, I made some headway by knocking back some of his supply-line blockade. I still need to knock back two more units.
My attack at Adak Island was a failure. I guess I need to bring in an RCT or something to boost the AV. I'll also do a BB/CA bombardment.
It appears my British BB's may not be in so much danger now - looks like he pulled back the SCTF towards Port Moresby.

[floydg]

August 3, 1942

Highlights: Airborne attack at Darwin

• At Koumac, 5 American PT boats go after the CA Haguro, CL Naka, CL Natori, DD Oyashio and DD Ushio. The PT boats get two small caliber hits on the DD Ushio before the task forces break off and the Japanese head east towards Luganville.
• Japanese troops unload at Broome to establish a beachhead on the other side of the sieging Japanese troops who came in over land. 5 Hudson attack the transports and score hits on the AP Kaito Maru and AP Taganoura Maru.
• Vals from the CV Shokaku bomb some Chinese troops west of Wuhan (the carrier must be refitting and the bombers are looking for some training). A later ground attack by 2 divisions and a mortar battalion force the two Chinese corps to retreat.
• SBDs and TBF's from Noumea strike the AK Asakasan Maru, which has already been seriously damaged, and score one more bomb hit. Later that day, they strike the CL Natori, scoring a bomb hit.
• North of Darwin, a Japanese naval bombardment TF is located and 12 planes are sent out to attack. A Beaufort I scored a torpedo hit on the CL Yura and later a A-20B Boston scored a bomb hit on the CL Sendai.
• Japanese drop the 2nd Parachute Regiment on Darwin and make a concerted attack over land. The defenders were ready and the Japanese do poorly.
• West of Homan, the Japanese attack and the Chinese hold their ground.
• Northeast of Lanchow, the Japanese make a shock attack on a single Chinese corps. The Chinese hold and the Japanese take significant casualties (1125 to only 25 Chinese).
• South of Darwin, the Australians attack the two remaining Japanese units. The Australians win the combat, but the Japanese hold their ground.

Analysis: Darwin may still have a chance. I am about to break out from the south and hopefully mess with his supply lines. Fending off the airborne and land-based shock attack was great. I'm sure my disruption is through the roof, but there isn't much to do about that now. It was also nice to scare away the bombardment TF with a few hits on his CL.
Seems he may be falling back in New Caledonia. That would be nice. Except I wanted him to try going after Noumea (level 9 forts). My only fear now is that this will leave a few Japanese divisions looking for somewhere to go. Maybe Efate, Suva or that area. Or maybe west to Eastern Australia. Time to dig in...
Oh, and China is looking positive now. His attacks are not productive and he keeps committing to battles that don't need to be fought. Be my guest.

[floydg]

August 4, 1942

Highlights: Darwin holds

• Japanese troops continue to unload at Broome. 4 Hudsons attack the transports and score a bomb hit on the AK Noto Maru.
• Just West of Koumac, the SS S-28 puts two torpedoes into the AK Asakasan Maru and she later sinks.
• CL and 4xDD bombard Darwin causing minor casualties. Another TF coming to Darwin is attacked by LBA and the CL Yura takes a bomb hit and the CL Sendai takes a torpedo hit. The Japanese attack and reduce the defensive fortifications to nothing and cause the defending Australians to fall back further into the city.
• Outside Luganville, LBA from Efate attempt to hit the Japanese SCTF that left Koumac. A run is made on the CA Haguro by 3xA-20B, but no hits are scored.
• Northeast of Yenen, a Chinese corps is blockading the road and is attacked by two cavalry units. The Chinese hold.
• South of Darwin, the Australians attack and force the last Japanese units to fall back towards Wyndham.

Analysis: Boy, Darwin has been a tough nut to crack for CoachZ. He had a bombardment force coming and my LBA scared him off (and put some dents in two CL). But the attacks are starting to make progress, and my supply is too low. So Darwin should fall in a few days.
Broome could hold for a while, since the AV is about even now but I have 3 forts and I'm defending in a city. I have loads of supply there, too. We'll see.
I get the feeling that in New Caledonia, he's either falling back to just hold Koumac, or reinforcing. There are a lot of transports coming in, but when I hit them, there is no troop loss, so either they're there empty (to take stuff back) or full of supply. Personally, I'd prefer if he stays, since that's almost 5 divisions worth of troops tied up and not able to operate elsewhere.

[floydg]

August 5, 1942

Highlights: Darwin still holds

• More Japanese unload at Broome. Over 50 Japanese bombers hit the airbase, causing minor damage, but the small CAP did shoot down 5 escorting fighters and one bomber, at a cost of 2 Allied.
• West of Luganville, the SS Seadragon is located by an ASW TF and one direct hit and three minor hits are scored.
• Japanese bombard Darwin with 4xCA and 3xDD. Moderate damage is done to the facilities and over 750 casualties are reported. Japanese attack again, but are held.
• Japanese bomb Ichang with 58 un-escorted bombers and a small group from the AVG intercept. 6 Mary and 2 Lily are shot down and negligible casualties are reported on the ground.
• American SBD and TBF from Noumea strike a Japanese transport TF of 4+ AP and escorts outside of Koumac. The AP Heito Maru and PC Ch 29 each take a bomb hit.
• Three Hudsons from Broome each put a bomb in the AK Yamabiko Maru near Derby.
• At Koumac, the CL Naka and two DD engage the four PT boats there. PT-122 is sunk, but three penetrating shell hits are recorded on the DD Ushio.
• The SS S-28 west of Koumac puts two torpedoes into the AK Kinka Maru, making for the second straight day of hits for this sub.
• Northeast of Yenen, the Chinese corps is blockading the road and is attacked again by two cavalry units. This time, the Chinese break and retreat towards the Soviet Union.
• Chinese troops cross the river west of Ichang to break the blockade. The Chinese secure a beachhead on the river bank.
• Northeast of Lanchow, the Chinese attack and the two Japanese units fall back.
• Auckland port expands to size 7.

Analysis: No comment on Darwin - I keep saying it will fall soon and that's starting to get tiresome.
Progress in China, which is good -- he won't be releasing troops from there any time soon, I reckon.
Japanese ships take some bomb and torpedo hits, so my advance on his shipping is progressing. Still need some more "big" kills, but that will probably need to wait.

[floydg]

August 6, 1942

Highlights: Nanning is liberated; BB Warspite finally sinks

• Japanese troops continue to unload at Broome.
• Five American PT boats encounter the CL Naka, DD Ushio and DD Oyashio at Koumac. Three PT boats are sunk, while the two Japanese DD's take some penetrating shell hits.
• Japanese again bombard Darwin. This time with 3xCA, CL and 5xDD. Slight damage is done. The later Japanese attack causes more casualties, but the defenders hold.
• Japanese also bombard Broome with the DD Kirishima and 2xDD, causing moderate damaged. Later on, an aerial bombardment does moderate damage to the airfield.
• Off Gili-Gili, the SS Grouper is hit twice with depth charges.
• Efate is bombed from Luganville. American CAP of 12 F4F-4's are ravaged by 41 escorting Zeros (A6M2 and A6M3). Slight damage is done to the airbase.
• B-24D's from Midway bomb Wake and do negligible damage.
• Outside of Koumac, American planes attack a Japanese transport TF. 4 escorting P-40E are shot down by the 12 Zero CAP, but all 14 bombers make it through, but only a single bomb hit is scored on the AP Eiko Maru.
• Outside Luganville, American planes strike another Japanese transport TF. 21 Zero CAP takes down 3 F4F-4's, but all 5 A-20's make it through and score four hits on the AP Kanko Maru.
• In the Gulf of Carpenteria, Japanese locate the British BB's and put two torpedoes into the BB Warspite and she finally succumbs, sinking.
• At Adak Island, a 6 MSW TF is attacked by Nells from Attu and score a hit on the MSW Caraquet, sinking her. The remaining five MSW locate the SS I-159 and put a direct depth charge hit on her.
• NE of Changsa, 2 Chinese Corps are attacked and forced to retreat back to Changsa.
• Japanese attack at Ichang, but the Chinese hold and the Japanese take almost 1300 casualties to 850 Chinese. The Japanese attack with over 112,000 men, almost 1000 guns and almost 140 vehicles, compared to the Chinese defending with just over 45,000 men and 164 guns.
• Just W of Ichang, the Chinese who established beachhead are forced to retreat.
• Chinese liberate Nanning. The Japanese defenders retreat to Pakhoi.
• Allies attack at La Foa, but the Japanese hold well and the Allies are repulsed, taking almost 850 casualties to just under 250 Japanese.
• Wyndham expands airfield to level 4.
• Midway expands port to level 4.

Analysis: Ah, victory in China... I'll be pressing the advance and aim for Pakhoi and maybe loop back and go for Siam.
I keep telling CoachZ that this is the turn Darwin will fall and each time I'm wrong. But I know it will be soon.
I don't know where his carriers are, and that's starting to worry me. They were constantly at my door, but now they are suspiciously silent. Something's coming...

[floydg]

August 7, 1942

Highlights: Surface action at Wake and south of Thursday Island

• Six American DD's arrive at Wake Island and ambush three Japanese MSW. All three MSW are sunk with no damage to the DD's. The DD's then bombard, causing slight damage. Bombers follow up and do superficial damage.
• Broome is bombarded by the BB Kirishima and 2xDD causing minor damage. The later Japanese attack does not advance their cause, but does bring about over 1000 casualties amongst the defenders (to 700 Japanese).
• Just outside Singapore harbor, while the SS KXII was laying some mines, it spots the AK Surabaya Maru and puts two torpedoes into her, then surfaces and hits her twice with the deck guns.
• 33xB-24D bomb Port Moresby. A6M2's and flak down five bombers, but the bombers do minor damage and destroy 8 planes.
• Outside Koumac, American bombers hit a transport TF and put a bomb in two AP's. Some troops were spotted on the AP's. Another wave puts two bombs into the MSW Hinode Maru #17. The SS S-28 locates another transport TF and puts a torpedo into the AP Biyo Maru, also loaded with troops; the SS S-28 takes a minor depth charge hit.
• Just south of Thursday Island, a Japanese SCTF encounters the British BB TF. The CS Nisshin, CL Tatsuta and 5 DD face off against the badly damaged BB Royal Sovereign and 4xDD. The CL Tatsuta takes a few shell hits, the DD Kageru is sunk and 3 of the other DD's take some damage. The BB Royal Sovereign takes a torpedo hit as well as 16 minor shell hits; two DD's are badly damaged and two are minor or moderately damaged. The SS I-22 later puts a torpedo into the DD Express, further fanning the flames.
• Japanese make another airborne assault at Darwin, but the defenders still hold.
• Northwest of Ichang, the Japanese maintain their blockade by forcing the Chinese to retreat.
• South of Darwin, the Australians force an artillery unit to retreat north.

Analysis: I didn't think I would make it out with the Royal Sovereign. One more hit and she's a gonner.
Seeing troop losses on the transports hit around Koumac make me wonder if they're coming in or going out. I guess I'll find out eventually.

[floydg]

August 8, 1942

Highlights: More Japanese transports by New Caledonia take hits

• At Koumac, a 5xPT TF intercepts a Japanese transport TF and sets the MSW Fukeui Maru #7 on fire and put a few shell hits on two AK's. Later, an SBD puts a bomb into the minesweeper.
• The BB Kongo, CA Chokai and DD Mutsuki bombard the Chinese corps that had just moved in to Canton. The ground attack then forces the two Chinese corps to retreat.
• North of Koumac, the SS Gudgeon puts a torpedo into the AP Shofuku Maru. The transport was reportedly carrying troops. The TF is later attacked by American aircraft from Noumea and a bomb hit is scored on the AP Shirogane Maru, also carrying troops.
• Japanese bomb Ichang. 31 Oscar escort 23 Val, 20 Mary and 46 Lily are met by 8 P-40B from the AVG and 8 I-16c. Three Chinese fighters are downed but 12 Japanese planes are smoked (including 3 Vals from the CV Shokaku?). The bombers do moderate damage to the airbase.
• 22 LB-30's begin bombing of Mytikyina. Some Japanese casualties are reported.
• 9 Swordfish from Broome hit a Japanese transport TF unloading at the harbor. Two planes are shot down but they do score two torpedo hits on the DD Wakaba. Later in the afternoon, the Swordfish put a torpedo into the DD Hatsuyuki.
• Still lumbering along towards a port in Australia, the BB Royal Sovereign is attacked by the air and takes a bomb and two torpedoes. This damage is too much for the crew to handle and the ship is abandoned and later sinks.
• Darwin is bombed from Wyndham by almost 125 bombers, causing significant damage to the facilities.
• Broome is bombed and moderate damage is done.
• Toyama airfield expands to level 4.

Analysis: Something is going on on a large scale by New Caledonia. I think there are several transport TF with troops loaded - don't know if they're coming or going. With my defenses strong, I'd prefer coming, since it ties up more of his troops. If it's going, then I have to worry about where they go next.
Darwin still holds. And further west, I moved the Swordfish squadron off the British carrier, since I was too chicken to move it in striking range of Derby, which kept it out of my striking range of Broome. Seems they did some damage. Now I need to recall them and replenish back at Perth.
Some Japanese CV are spotted in the Aleutians. My two carriers will begin to maneuver for position.

[n01487477]

Pity about the loss of the Royal Sovereign ...

Just wondering about the Aleutians ... how many CV's are spotted there? Are you employing a different load out for your 2 CV's? And what other air assets are going to provide cover? It is very difficult for the Japanese to stay on station without logistical support and you have the advantage of bases close by.

[floydg]

ORIGINAL: n01487477

Pity about the loss of the Royal Sovereign ...

Just wondering about the Aleutians ... how many CV's are spotted there? Are you employing a different load out for your 2 CV's? And what other air assets are going to provide cover? It is very difficult for the Japanese to stay on station without logistical support and you have the advantage of bases close by.

Yeah, the R.S. and Warspite were pretty badly damaged in some surface actions at Wyndham. I made the mistake of putting them in Darwin harbor to repair, and once Wyndham fell, it became impossible to get them out that way, so I had to make a dash for the east and brave the swarm of Bettys and Nells from Port Moresby. I didn't think they'd make it, but I had to take a chance. I lost two more DD's trying to escort them out, but I did draw him in and sunk one DD and probably badly mangled a second.

I spotted CV Zuikaku, CV Hiyo and CVL Hosho, based on the bomber squadrons that hit the marines at Adak Island. If he stripped himself bare for that attack, it was about 30+ each of Vals and Kates. My two carriers have standard "late"' '42 loadout. If need be, I could sail the CV Saratoga from SF, even if it's still got about 14 Sys damage.

[floydg]

August 9, 1942

Highlights: More Japanese APs/AKs ravaged

• North of Perth, an Allied ASW TF locates the SS I-21. The DD Panther gets three direct hits and sinks the sub.
• PT PT-120 hits a mine at Koumac and sinks.
• 82 Japanese bombers hit Broome and cause minor damage.
• Japanese carrier planes bomb the 1st USMC Division at Adak Island, causing some casualties.
• LB-30's bomb Mytikyina again, causing some more casualties.
• West of Luganville, the AP Nachisan Maru, loaded with troops, is hit with a bomb from an A-20B from Efate. Another sert of planes from Efate put a bomb in the AP Nichiren Maru and another put a bomb in the AK Tatsufuku Maru. Later on, the AP Kanko Maru was hit with two bombs and the AP Yubae Maru (with troops aboard) was hit with two bombs. Also, the AP Shirogane Maru near Koumac (also with troops loaded) was hit with a bomb.
• By Koumac, bombers from Noumea put a bomb in the AK Liverpool Maru.
• The DD Parrot is hit by five bombs as she and her two other DD's leave the battles that finally sunk the BB Royal Sovereign and BB Warspite. The Parrot later sinks.
• At La Foa, four PT boats are strafed by Zeros. Two get some hits and one gets a lot of hits.
• 92 Sally's bomb Darwin and do moderate damage. The attack was repulsed and the defenders still hold.
• Northeast of Sian, the Japanese attack and are repulsed.

Analysis: In China, I am now seiging Pakhoi, flush after my victory at Nanning. I am also seiging Canton, after he was not able to repulse my three Corps there. More troops to move in to Canton as soon as possible. This is especially nice, since it also cuts off his troops to the NW of Canton.
In Australia, Darwin still holds. I don't know what's gotten into these guys, but they seem to refuse to let go. I'm not complaining, mind you. Relief is on the way, but may take a little while. I noticed that he's now flying in supply to the troops, so maybe his supply levels are getting low (mine are awful).
In New Caledonia, it seems to be transport bloodbath. Lots of Japanese transports with troops on them getting hit. I'm not sure what he's up to. Many of the transports seem to be converging on Ndini. Maybe he's gonna make a run for Suva or islands further east. If he does change his focus, I may just have to invade at Koumac and cut off his troops seiging La Foa...
Up in the Aleutians, things could get interesting, as I will position my carriers (CV Hornet, CV Wasp) in striking range of Adak Island, and his three carriers (CV, CV, CVL).

[floydg]

August 10, 1942

Highlights: Land combat action in China

• Near Gili-Gili, the SS S-38 puts a torpedo into the DD Yamagumo.
• Over 80 Japanese bombers hit Broome and do minor damage.
• Allied bombers from Broome hit a transport TF near Derby and score a bomb hit on the DD Hatsuyuki and a torpedo hit on the AK Ehime Maru.
• Near Ndini, the TK Ayazono Maru is hit with a bomb. The troop-laden AP Shirogane Maru is hit with two bombs.
• Several American transports leave Noumea and head the wrong direction to go to Pearl Harbor. They are attacked by 13 Sally's from Luganville, but fortunately, none hit.
• 92 Japanese bombers hit Darwin, causing moderate damage. The defenders still hold the city.
• The SS Growler, by Gili-Gili, takes a depth charge hit.
• Japanese attack the Chinese sieging Canton and do a poor job, taking over 1100 casualties to just under 500 Chinese. The Chinese hold their positions outside the city.
• Northeast of Sian, the Japanese attack again and are again repulsed.
• East of Lanchow, the Japanese attack, which is completely bungled, and the Japanese take over 1000 casualties to no Chinese losses. The Chinese counter-attack and the Japanese retreat.
• South of Darwin, the Japanese attack in an attempt to re-open the rail lines to Darwin, but fail, as the Australian 7th Division has rejoined the defense of that area.
• NW of Canton, the Chinese mount an attack, but the Japanese hold and the Chinese charge turned into a killing ground, with the Chinese taking over 1500 casualties to just over 400 Japanese.

Analysis: Amazingly, Darwin still holds.
In China, I seem to be doing okay now, with Pakhoi and Canton now under siege. If I can break the blockade around Ichang, I think Coach Z will break into tears.
I am now sure something's up with his forces around New Caledonia. My guess is he's going to pull some troops out and make a move for something else to get me to re-direct my attention. Since I have such a short attention span, it'll probably work.

[floydg]

August 11, 1942

Highlights: Landings at Darwin, almost a carrier battle

• The BB Kirishima and 2 DD bombard Broome.
• Japanese begin landing troops at Darwin. Almost 80 bombers hit it later, doing moderate damage to the airbase. The Japanese attack is again thwarted as the defenders hold.
• LB-30's bomb Akyab and do minor damage to the airbase.
• 15xB-24D's bomb Wake Island. 20 Nick intercept, but don't shoot down any bombers. Slight damage is done to the airbase and newly arrived aircraft.
• Allied aircraft from Noumea strike more Japanese transports around Koumac. A wave of 6 Avengers are slaughtered and only 1 returns, with no hits. Another wave of 15 SBD's fare better, scoring a hit on the AP Bichu Maru.
• Due to a navigational error, planes from the CV Hornet strike the airbase at Atka Island instead of Attu Island. 55 bombers from Dutch Harbor don't make the same mistake, but cause only slight damage to the port.
• Allied aircraft from Efate score a bomb hit on the PG Shinko Maru #3, after missing two other AP's.
• Northeast of Sian, a Chinese corps attacks and forces the Japanese division to retreat off the road back towards Chengting.
• South of Darwin, the Australians attack, but the defending Japanese hold. Each side takes about 300 casualties.
• Anchorage increases the port to level 9.

Analysis: Almost had a carrier battle up in the Aleutians. He spotted me, was within the "magical" 5 hex range, but never struck. [X(] For some reason, I didn't react and ended up bombing the wrong enemy base (oops). Since the surprise is ruined, I'll slink back a bit and see what he's up to. I see some transports heading each from Attu, so maybe it's reinforcements or supplies. I'll be ready to hit them when the transports get close.
[center][/center]

He made another naval landing at Darwin, but yet, still can't take the base. I'm sure his supply level is low, since he's flying in supply at a constant rate now. Not that my supply level is any better.

[floydg]

August 12, 1942

We've been passing turns quickly as of late - probably need to slow down a bit or risk some wifely "issues"...

Highlights: AVG goes to town on Oscars in China

• More troops unload at Darwin. No Japanese attack is mounted – only a bombardment.
  Here is what is there:
  
  And at Broome:
  
• Near Koumac, three PT boats locate the AK Liverpool Maru and put two torpedoes into her. Later, 2 SBD's attack, scoring a bomb hit and finally sinking her.
• The BB Kongo, BB Haruna, CA Chokai and two DD bombard the Chinese troops sieging Canton. The Japanese attack, but again, the Chinese hold strong.
• Four DD's bombard the Japanese base of Akyab for superficial damage.
• Japanese bomb Broome and all that was done was three planes were downed on each side.
• The Japanese bomb a Chinese unit NW of Ichang. The 19 Vals and 26 Lily are escorted by 44 Oscar. They are met by 15 P-40B's of the AVG.
• The AVG ravages the Oscars, shooting down 13 to none lost on their side. One Lily is also downed. A small number of casualties are inflicted on the Chinese. But the Japanese attack was still successful and the Chinese retreated NW again.
• At Koumac, the CL Naka is attacked by SBD's and TBF's from Noumea. Only one bomb hit is scored.
• 17 Ann's attack the PT boats at La Foa, sinking the PT-121.
• 36 B-26B's from Dutch Harbor hit Adak Island and score a few hits on the port's supply depot.
• American CA Louisville and several DD's were sneaking up to bombard Wake Island again, but several Alf's spotted them and attacked. No hits were scored, but the surprise was ruined.
• West of Homan, the Chinese attack and fail to dislodge the Japanese.
• South of Darwin, the Australians attack again, but the Japanese defense holds.
  Here is what is there:
  

Analysis: He's slowed down a bit at Darwin, which is great. I still think it will fall soon.
Looks like he finally found a way to damage my PT boats. I guess it was a low-cost way to really frustrate him, so I'm pleased.
I'm encouraged in China, but I suppose I shouldn't be so ethusiastic. But it is fun to dream...
New Caledonia action has slowed down, so it could be a good time to try something a little tricky. I gotta coordinate things a little, but I have a cav division and half of the Americal Division ready, and I may coordinate a paradrop. We'll see what happens.
Oh, and in the Aleutians, I pulled the carriers back and it doesn't appear he came after me, the wimp...

[n01487477]

The AVG pocket rocket at work ... I still think they are too strong in any scenario I've tried. Use them judiciously to wreck havoc, and maybe as in my BB1.4 game, to tip the balance in the air/pilot war. Most Japanese players hate losing valuable pilots, and will withdraw from the fight!

[floydg]

ORIGINAL: n01487477

The AVG pocket rocket at work ... I still think they are too strong in any scenario I've tried. Use them judiciously to wreck havoc, and maybe as in my BB1.4 game, to tip the balance in the air/pilot war. Most Japanese players hate losing valuable pilots, and will withdraw from the fight!

The only problem is that their aircraft are rapidly diminishing and I have no replacements. [:(]

[floydg]

August 13, 1942

Highlights: Darwin falls, all defenders surrender; first encouter with Tony's a mixed success

• PT-123 hits a mine at Koumac and sinks. The remaining two PT's shoot up the AK Bichu Maru.
• CA Louisville and 10 DD's pull up to Wake Island. There, they sink the AK Himalaya Maru and ML Natsushima. They also damage a PC and another ML. A bombardment of Wake results in minor damage.
• Japanese bombard the Chinese troops at Canton again.
• Japanese bomb Ichang with 21 Val and 56 Lily, escorted by 15 Oscar and 27 Tony. The allies meet them with 6 I-16c and 7 P-40B from the AVG. In their first encounter with the Tony, 5 are shot down, to 5 P-40B. Also, 2 Vals, 4 Oscar, 2 Lily and 2 I-16c are downed. Minor damage is done to the airbase.
• LB-30's from Calcutta hit Lashio and are met by 17 Zero and 4 Tojo. Four bombers are downed and superficial damage is done.
• Almost 80 Japanese bombers hit Broome and do moderate damage to the airbase and aircraft.
• The Allied troops marching to Akyab are hit from the air by almost 80 bombers and slightly over 100 casualties are taken.
• North of Koumac, the CL Naka takes three bomb hits and the AK Bichu Maru takes a single bomb hit.
• Japanese capture Darwin. All defenders (64,000+) surrender.

Analysis: Darwin fell. The sad part is that all of the troops surrendered - I guess they had no place they wanted to retreat to.
The air combat over Ichang was to my favor, but I lost a total of 6 irreplacable P-40B's, so now the AVG is seriously under strength.
I am now sure he will be making a move at Efate since he has so many transports at Luganville, they can't be there just to visit, so I am moving some PT boats up there to mess with any invasion. Could be a close call.